Stress cracks...

[Joel]

I am looking at buying a used boat. Is there a way to detect stress cracks(beside visual)? I was told that running a cotton cloth across the boat will detect them??? How can you tell if they are cosmetic or structure cracks. Where to best look?

Thanks in advance.

[Bob M.]

Joel, here's a link you might find of some use.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/StressCracking.htm

[GORD]

Drop into your local welders supply company and ask them about it. They deal with crack inspections and repairs of various metals. Before you buy something (possibly in a spray can ) to check it yourself, see if someone does this. The commercial guys might not charge that much and they have the expertice to determine the severity of the metal checking.

[Bob M.]

Good idea for aluminum boats. Good question though, is this for glass or aluminum Joel?